Landmark Study: America CAN Solve Global Warming Without Nukes, Without Continued Dependence on Coal

Greenpeace USA today joined with other climate and energy advocates to release a landmark analysis showing that the United States can address global warming, without relying on nuclear power or so-called “clean coal” as President Bush proposed in his State of the Union Address last night.

"This blueprint not only shows us what needs to be done to
address global warming, but how to do it using existing
technologies," said John Coequyt, energy policy analyst with the
Greenpeace Global Warming Campaign. "America can deal with global
warming without nuclear power, which is inherently dangerous. We
can do it without enshrining another century of dependence on coal
- which is only 'clean' if you ignore the tremendous environmental
devastation caused by coal mining. The fact is we can have our cake
and eat it, too."

The new study details a worldwide energy scenario where:

- In the United States, nearly 80% of our electricity can be
produced by renewable energy sources.

- Carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced 50% globally and 72%
in the U.S. without resorting to an increase in dangerous nuclear
power or new coal technologies.

- America's oil use can be cut over 50% by 2050 with much more
efficient cars and trucks, potentially including new plug-in
hybrids, increased use of biofuels, and greater reliance on
electricity for transportation.

"It's a favorite talking point in Washington that dealing with
global warming means nuclear power and so-called 'clean coal,'"
said Coequyt. "But now we know we don't need to make this deal with
the devil. The fact is that a cleaner, smarter energy future is
both feasible and affordable."

The study, commissioned from the internationally-respected
German Aerospace Centre, shows that significantly increasing
renewable energy and efficiency improvements alone can solve the
global warming problem. It is the first study to fulfill the
promise of Princeton Professors Stephen Pacala and Robert Socolow's
"wedge" framework, by presenting an alternative scenario for
reaching greenhouse gas stabilization.

To listen to today's press conference on the release of this
study, go to:
http://usaphoto.greenpeace.org/greenpeaceglobalenergyteleconference/

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VVPR info: To download a copy of the report: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/press/reports/energy-r-evolution-a-bluepr